I have a problem. And the problem is the shoes.
You see? It would have taken two laundry baskets to hold all the shoe love you see here. I stopped at one, it seemed excessive enough.
I laid them all out on the dining room table for you to see. It’s a problem. I just can’t figure out which ones to part with, I love them all. I need your help sorting them out. Which ones do I donate, give to a friend, or keep? Seriously, it’s time to give my closet a break.
I’m not parting with these. They serve the purpose of being cute with every outfit and adorning my feet when I hang out with my father’s side of the family.
Besides, haven’t you always wanted a pair of shoes that say this?
Me too.
These are my go-to foxy, tall, black high heels. They go with everything, especially fancy things like black dresses. I love them and will wear them to my own funeral, so they’re not on the chopping block.
These are hideous, and delicious all at the same time. I wear them almost every day from October-May because it’s cold in Utah. Really cold.
These are my comfy shoes. Vans, Converse, and running shoes. I wear all of them on a regular basis {some more than others, *cough, cough* running shoes}.
Flip flops.
I have Croc high heels {don’t knock ’em}, Tevas {I live in UTAH}, Reef sandals {go buy a pair today, you can thank me later}, more Crocs {saved my feet at BlogHer}, pink Crocs {for mowing the lawn}, flip flops for painting projects, and my Birkenstocks. I adore my Birkenstocks. They will be my alternate pair of shoes when my feet start hurting at my funeral.
Then we have flats.
I’m obsessed with flats. I wear heels to fancy places and come home to wear flat shoes. I don’t want to part with any of them. Especially that pair in the center on top. PONY. Oh, how they hug my feet. I walked all over New York in those things last year and never felt a thing. *sigh* Those can’t go either.
Last, but certainly not least, are my high heels. The superstars of any girl’s closet.
The ones in the bottom middle row? I’ve had them for 12 years. They’re a pair of Nine West {my favorite shoe designer} blue leather heels, and they’re comfortable in a way most high heels aren’t. But they’re scuffed. And they’re not really that hot anymore.
Mercy, I need help. That’s 27 pair of shoes, not counting the ones I was wearing while taking the photos {slippers. we all need a pair}.
Help me eliminate shoes so I can make room for more. Because I think Viktor’s outer limit of shoe closet takeover might be closer to 35 pair than 27 and I want to see him sweat.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
Crocs, love my crocs!!
And UGGs, I haven't gotten into those yet, but should I?
I almost bought some brown cowboy boots this weekend. I need you with me.
How to eliminate? Sorry I'm no help! I'm no good at making those decisions because I only have 2 in each category above. I wear Crocs everyday, everywhere!
I love getting rid of things! It warms my heart. I vote you get rid of everything that is similar to something else, anything you haven't worn recently, and then anything that is in poor condition. But all the hoarders will disagree with me, I'm sure.
I saw a picture of these leather slingback wedges by Crocs but I don't know if they are out yet. I love them.
This is my first comment on your blog, but I have a shoe problem too…if you want to get rid of any I'll take them! ;) Good luck deciding
I honestly think you have a reasonable and useful collection. The only ones I thought of losing were in the front row of the "family" picture. But then when you describe them all, I think,"Eh, keep 'em."
You know who you need to ask. But I imagine that for the sake of your crocs, flats and flip flops you are intentionally not seeking her advice.
When you are ready to get serious (and sad!), give Carina a call.
oh good heavens young lady…you and me…cut from the same cloth i tell ya!
Oh dear one…if it makes you feel any better, I just went to count my shoes – 38. That's right. 38 pairs of shoes! That would mean 76 individual shoes. I have so many that I've actually seperated my shoes into summer/winter and have them in two different areas in my closet! And I'm still on the search for more…
I'd really like a brown pair of tall boots to wear over my skinny jeans…and I'm really in need of a brown pair of flats…but then I see a really cute pair of patterened flats and what the heck, they're on sale for $10…can't pass up a good sale! So 39, 40, and 41. :)
My husband's long given up on me…and I figure, my love of shoes is actually a good thing. It's teaching me to continually improve my organization skills (gotta make room for more shoes!)
If your a size 8 1/2 you can send a few my way. I love shoes too, but I don't own that many. I love shoes because it doesn't matter what the scale says you can always find a pair that fits.
Shoes are the best because you can wear them at any weight! I love shoes for that reason alone. They're like little friends.
I would say get rid of any you don't wear and that are in poor condition. Seems easy but I know it's still hard.
I can help you with that! You have it all wrong, having many shoes is NOT a problem!!
(except maybe those pink crocs)
Repeat this to yourself "I do not have a problem!" "Shoes are my friend"
Having to dejunk is on of the hardest yet most rewarding tasks. It is so liberating to free yourself of anything that is unnecessary.
My rule of thumb is to ask myself two questions
1. Do I use it. REALLY?
2. How do I feel when I use it?
If you don't feel awesome about yourself when wearing an item it isn't only closet clutter, but it also becomes emotional baggage and should be tossed.
Just remind yourself getting rid of a mediocre item leaves room open for an amazing one to replace it.
Man, you might have a problem. Next time you go thrifting…think one pair out before another pair comes in.
I really need a pair of UGGS.
Wow, we have very similar taste. Scary!!! I love them all but I prefer Rainbows over Reefs. I have so many more, you inspire me to take a picture of mine.
I got rid of twenty pair recently (ok, 2 years ago. I'm still counting it as recent)
Does that mean I'm a step ahead because I got rid of so many or a few steps behind because even after chucking the twenty pairs, forty individual shoes I still have a closet full.
A SHOESday post! I Love it. And I'm the wrong person to ask what to get rid of. In fact, I think you should add. Every woman should own one pair of fabulous RED shoes! Your version of fabulous is the key! The heels on the right in back are my fave!
Iman,
I have a *relationship* with shoes, let's put it that way. ;)
Marie,
You and your Crocs. Although they are darling. Yes, you need Uggs, you definitely need some. Let's get you a pair of those. Boot shopping asap?
Jenny,
Normally I love getting rid of things. I send as much stuff to D.I. as I buy from D.I. But my shoes? Having a hard, hard time parting with them. It's emotional.
Jen,
I'm so glad you did! Hey, if you're a size 9.5- 10 have at 'em!
Marianne,
Carina is ruthless. Which is exactly why I love her. I might need to call in reinforcements.
Eva,
2 years ago sure feels recent to me! I think I need less than 15 pair. Well, OBVIOUSLY I need less than 15 pair but that's going to be my happy number.
Jill,
Why aren't we hanging out again? Do you live in a different state?
MommyMegs,
I KNOW! I feel your pain. 41 seems reasonable. Plus, I totally want a pair of flat dark brown leather riding boots {for the skinny jeans}. SIGH.
Likeschocolate,
Isn't that the truth?! Shoes never make you feel fat and we love them for it. I'm a size 9.5-10 or I'd box up a bunch and send them your way. darn!
Barb,
They are like little friends. Lovely, pretty little friends. And yes, it's painfully obvious which ones I need to get rid of now.
Camy,
Great tips! I'm going to be chanting your mantra as I eliminate from my closet. I think I can, I think I can!
Kami,
I do have a problem. I need a 12 step program to go through my closet.
Also? Costco brand UGGS. Go get a pair today.
Angrie Julie,
I've never worn Rainbows before, is that weird? This is my 2nd pair of Reefs and I adore them. The last pair lasted me 10 YEARS. What? Seriously.
Andie,
You know, I don't think I'd ever realized I don't own a pair of red shoes! I'm not sure how that's possible because it's my favorite color of all time. I'll get right on that. ;)
Oh heavens, I just did the same thing with my shoes. I have the same nasty habit! The worst part is that I've recently started losing my post partum weight and my feet have SHRUNK. I have like new 9.5s that no longer fit my 9 feet :( Bummer.
I have a pair of suuuuuper pointy black mules that I've forced the shoe guy to rehab a billion times because I can't bear to part with them.
Can the blue 9West be rehabbed? If so, do it!
Other thoughts: Even though they were perfectly molded to my feet, I ditched my Tevas and a good number of flip flops with an eye on buying new next summer because I have to be honest and say that sometimes well worn shoes look, well….well-worn, KWIM? Also – girl you need to get some color into your assortment! Definitely need some green shoes and some mustard yellow (check out Land's End's yellow driving mocs and their gold trimmed black ballet flats!!) And red shoes…I have at least 6 pairs. Come to Chicago, my dear and we will glass slipper our way into a new shoe wardrobe!!!
Okay, I had to go take a second look. I'm gonna be honest (ducking) and say if you are hard core about eliminating do away with the vans (if you love them, get pair that's updated), and all of your flats except the Pony's and the black ones on the bottom right. The others look worn and you could find some super cute, more hip flats in about 2 seconds. (i.e. Lands End or Target) Same with the flip flops/sandals. Buy new styles this summer) Also…are you familiar with Me Too shoes? I LOVELOVELOVE them. Totally worth the $$
Problem solved. Get rid of those shoes then go forth and MULTIPLY!
Sadly, my shoe collection isn't as vast (nor eclectic). I can never find comfortable shoes so when I do, I hang onto them as long as I can!
You have great taste, so it would be hard to part with them, but if you must, I'd be happy to give them a good home :) But you can hang onto the pink crocs. I already have a pair of my own! :)
See? Problem solved. It's a win-win! :)
First I'm going to say that I love you even though I just met you. I respect the Teva's because you live in Utah.
I have a strng aversion to all things Croc's. Don't hate me.
And for all you other readers… do not buy uggs! The are hideous and I wear them all the time! How can you not? Its like wearing slippers everyday… only more socially acceptable.
i'm in the same state, just down here in the SW corner {st. george}…if you're ever in my neck of the woods we def. need to hook up and go shoe shopping in vegas baby!!
Oooh, I feel what you are going through. I have three pairs of exactly the same shoe (American Eagle ballet flats) in three colors and a similar pair but different brand in brown. I LOVE these shoes and wear them almost everyday. My hubby just noticed that I have so many of these shoes…Shoes, I love you so.
I need to do a serious weeding of my shoes. There have been too many that have sat in my closet for too long. But how do I get rid of the bone sandals I bought in Italy??
I recently moved and dejunked my closet in the process – I was shocked at how many shoes I actually had, and how many I was willing to part with – there were shoes I didn't even remember owning! And let me tell you, the sight of an organized, color-coordinated, purposeful closet is something I like MORE than all of the shoes I got rid of.
Look at it this way: you will be able to bless people who are really in need by donating those shoes of yours. Having been to some third world countries, I can tell you that it is customary for them to replace the soles on a pair of shoes for YEARS before they ever get replacements, and they really do need them.
We use 20% of our things 80% of the time. What do you really need and use? Don't keep it unless it is beautiful or has a purpose.
so many cute shoes! you don't need to get rid of shoes, you just need a bigger closet!